Methods and systems for controlling engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles

Abstract

Various embodiments of methods and system are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of an operating parameter indicative of an ambient environmental condition produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable, receiving a second value of the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle, and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the operating parameter.

1 . A method comprising:
 determining whether a first value of an operating parameter indicative of an ambient environmental condition is corrupted or unavailable, wherein the first value is produced by a first vehicle;   receiving a second value of the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition, wherein the second value is produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; and   in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the operating parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition includes ambient temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition includes barometric pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition includes humidity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting engine speed of the engine of the first vehicle based on an open loop function of which the second value is an input.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a third value of the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition, wherein the third value is produced by a third vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; and   if the first value is outside of a designated tolerance and the second value and the third value are within the designated tolerance, determining that the first value of the operating parameter is corrupted.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are rail vehicles at least one of directly connected in a consist or connected within a train. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that a first value of a global positioning system (GPS) position produced by the first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable;   receiving a second value of the GPS position produced by the second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; and   in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of the engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the GPS position.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that a first value of vehicle speed produced by the first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable;   receiving a second value of vehicle speed, the second value produced by the second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; and   in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of the engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the vehicle speed.   
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a control module configured for deployment in a first vehicle and to receive, from a sensing device in the first vehicle, a first value of a condition sensed by the sensing device; and   wherein the control module is further configured to determine whether the first value meets one or more criteria, and, in response to determining that the first value meets the one or more criteria, control operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on a second value of the condition received from a second vehicle.   
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a first vehicle, proximate to a second vehicle, comprising:
 an engine; 
 a sensing device operable to produce a first value of an operating parameter that is indicative of an ambient environmental condition; 
 a communication device operable to receive a second value of the operating parameter that is indicative of an ambient environmental condition from the second vehicle; and 
 a controller operable to determine whether the first value of the operating parameter is corrupted or unavailable, and in response to determining that the first value of the operating parameter is corrupted or unavailable, control operation of the engine based on the second value of the operating parameter. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition includes ambient temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition includes barometric pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the operating parameter that is indicative of the ambient environmental condition includes humidity. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is operable to adjust engine speed of the first vehicle based on an open loop function of which the second value is an input. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the communication device is operable to receive a third value of the operating parameter from a third vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle, and the controller is operable to compare the first value with the second value and the third value, and if the first value is outside of a designated tolerance and the second value and the third value are within the designated tolerance determine that the first value of the operating parameter is corrupted. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are rail vehicles at least one of directly connected in a consist or connected within a train. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 determining whether a first value of a GPS position produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable;   receiving a second value of the GPS position produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle;   in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, identifying a tunnel based on the second value of the GPS position; and   controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the second value of the GPS position to travel through the tunnel.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein identifying the tunnel includes identifying an entrance of the tunnel that is approaching the first vehicle based on the second value of the GPS position, and controlling operation includes, in response to identifying the entrance, adjusting operation of the engine of the first vehicle to initiate regeneration of a particulate filter of the first vehicle before the first vehicle enters the entrance of the tunnel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 determining that the first vehicle has entered the tunnel based on the second value of the GPS position; and   in response to determining that the first vehicle has entered the tunnel, adjusting operation of the engine of the first vehicle to reduce an amount of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 identifying a geographic area having different emissions restrictions based on the second value of the GPS position;   determining that the first vehicle has entered the geographic area based on the second value of the GPS position; and   in response to determining that the first vehicle has entered the geographic area, adjusting operation of the engine of the first vehicle to produce emissions that comply with the different emissions restrictions.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein determining includes receiving a third value of the GPS position produced by a third vehicle that is in a consist with the first vehicle, and if the first value is outside of a designated tolerance and the second value and the third value are within the designated tolerance, determining that the first value of the GPS position is corrupted.